Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati has hired a Bank of New York Mellon executive as its chief legal officer.

The $142 billion-asset company said Heather Russell Koenig will join Fifth Third on Sept. 28. She will have oversight of legal affairs, government affairs and regulatory matters, according to a Friday news release.

Koenig succeeds James Hubbard as head of Fifth Third's legal department. The responsibilities for government and regulatory affairs had previously been assigned to other executives and will be consolidated under Koenig's oversight. She will report to Greg Carmichael, who becomes chief executive on Nov. 1.

At Bank of New York Mellon, Koenig led the office of public policy and regulatory affairs. She was also global chief regulatory counsel and counsel to the board's risk committee.

Koenig also previously worked for Bank of America, and practiced law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.